Medics hail SMC decision to back new Type 2 diabetes drug

CANAGLIFLOZIN is to be made available for prescription through NHS Scotland after the recommendation of the Scottish Medicines Consortium.

A patient with diabetes monitors his blood glucose with a glucometer - Type 2 diabetes is associated with around 9000 deaths each year in Scotland

THOUSANDS of people in Scotland living with Type 2 diabetes could benefit from a new treatment to improve blood sugar control.

The Scottish Medicines Consortium has given the thumbs-up to canagliflozin, a new treatment option licensed for adults living with the disorder for whom diet and lifestyle measures or treatment with other blood sugar-lowering medicines do not provide adequate control.

Canagliflozin, a once daily tablet, will now be available for prescription through NHS Scotland.

“Type 2 diabetes is one of the most significant health challenges facing Scotland today,” said Professor Miles Fisher, Consultant Physician, Glasgow Royal Infirmary, and Honorary Professor, University of Glasgow.

“Gaining access to new treatments like canagliflozin, is important in helping us to better manage this deadly epidemic.”

Type 2 diabetes is a serious chronic disease that causes sugar levels in the blood to become too high.

It is associated with around 9000 deaths each year in Scotland, mainly from cardiovascular disease, and is the biggest single cause of amputation, stroke, blindness and end stage kidney failure.

Its prevalence is increasing throughout Scotland, with over 250,000 people currently living with diabetes – nearly 90 per cent of whom have Type 2 diabetes.

According to NHS Scotland, who spend £1bn a year treating diabetes, almost half (44.4 per cent) of people diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in Scotland are failing to achieve recommended blood sugar levels.

The efficacy of canagliflozin has been studied in trials involving over 10,000 people with Type 2 diabetes, making it one of the largest development programmes for Type 2 diabetes in the world.

“This recommendation from the SMC marks a major milestone for Janssen and LifeScan,” said Dr Peter Barnes, Medical Director at Janssen UK.

“With the relentless increase in the number of people living with Type 2 diabetes in Scotland, there is an ongoing need for additional treatment options. We are pleased that the SMC recognises the value canagliflozin provides to the NHS in Scotland.”